12/12/12: Top 12 Who Wore #12

1992 Upper Deck

Today is 12-12-12, so on this unique day, I will compile a top ten list who wore the uniform number of 12 in baseball. Well, instead of a top ten list, it is a top 12 for obvious reasons.
As I was doing some research, I discovered that it is not a number used by a lot of stars throughout history. It has been retired only twice by Major League ballclubs. There is a couple players who wore #12 while making baseball history. I tried as much as I could to include players who wore the number predominately in their career.  Without further ado, here goes...

#12.. Ron Blomberg.  New YorkYankees(1969-76). His claim to fame is that on April 6, 1973, he became the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history.

#11  Pumpsie Green.. Boston Red Sox(1959-62). Green was the first ever black player for the Red Sox. What makes this most significant is that the Red Sox was the last MLB club to include a black player on its big league roster.

#10 Shawon Dunston... Chicago Cubs(1985-95).. 2 time All Star(1988,90) and was a key part of 1989 divisional championship. played in the big leagues thru 2002 for several different teams

#9 Freddy Sanchez.... Pittsburgh Pirates(2004-2009).. 3 time All Star(2006, 07, 09). National League batting champion in 2006. Became a World Series champ in 2010.

#8 A.J. Pierzynski...Chicago White Sox(2005-2012)...longtime catcher was an all star in 2006, Silver Slugger winner in 2012 and World Series champion in 2005.

#7 Charlie "King Kong" Keller..New York Yankees(1939-49),. The feared slugger was 5 time All Star and a 4 time World Series champion

#6 Mark Langston..Seattle Mariners(1984-89), California Angels(1990-97). The lefty was 4 time All Star and 7 time Gold Glove winner

#5 Gil McDougald New York Yankees (1951-60) The infielder won the Rookie of the Year in 1951 and later became a 6 time All Star and 5 time World Series champ. Unfortunately, he is most likely famous for hitting a line drive off of Cleveland star pitcher Herb Score's eye.

#4 Alfonso Soriano Texas Rangers(2004-05), Washington Nationals(2006), Chicago Cubs(2007-present).  Establishing himself as a New York Yankee(wore #33 while in pinstripes). Soriano has been a 7 time All Star including a game MVP, 4 time Silver Slugger, and a member of the 40/40 club.

#3 Wes Ferrell  Boston Red Sox(1934-37), Washington Senators(1937-38).. After debuting with Cleveland in 1927. Ferrell became a 2 time All Star and pitched a no hitter in 1931. He is perhaps regarded as the best hitting pitcher of all time

#2 Wade Boggs New York Yankees(1993-1997), Tampa Bay Devil Rays(1998-99). After winning numerous batting titles and becoming an All Star game starter while with the Red Sox(wore #26), became a NY Yankee. He continued in his All Star caliber standards and became a World Series champion while in NY.  Hit is 3,000 career hit while in Tampa and has his numbered retired there. Member of the Hall of Fame.

#1 Roberto Alomar  Played on several clubs from 1988-2004. Alomar was 12 time All Star and 10 time Gold Glove winner. Other accomplishments include: 2x World Series Champ, 4 Silver Slugger awards. ALCS MVP and All Star game MVP.. Is a member of the baseball hall of fame and his #12 is retired as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays..